Anise was actually sleeping well for once. When morning came, she was curled up on her side, her arms tightly hugging her pillow in the same way they would usually hold Tokunaga
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As was usual for her, Anise's mind carefully analyzed every little bit of information that could potentially give away the man's social status. His gentlemanly mannerisms seemed to point to a wealthy upbringing, and if he never had to learn to cook, then that hinted at the same... though she had to wonder how he couldn't get decent camp food. When someone rich traveled, they usually brought an entourage that could take care of all their needs.
It was still a little early to make a definite call, but Anise was fine with erring on the side of caution and keeping her sweetness to the maximum. Even if it turned out he wasn't that wealthy, he sure was charming and cool!
When he declined her offer, Anise frowned. He was plenty gracious about it, but... could he really afford to do that, in his state? "Are you sure?" she asked. "I mean... I don't need them for myself. I bought lots, and I don't know many people in worse shape than you right now, so... think about it, okay?"
She couldn't force him to accept or anything, but she'd at least let him know that the offer was still on the table if he changed his mind.
Come to think of it, though... she did know one other person who could benefit from yesterday's haul. Tear was still suffering from miasma poisoning, and while the soldier wasn't likely to complain about her rations, she was probably feeling a bit miserable. Maybe Anise could put together a little care package for her.
She was right, of course- Edgar was in poor shape and probably needed bed rest as well as a good meal if he hoped to recover at a decent speed; however, he was also a firm believer that what didn't kill a person only made them stronger. He was being stubborn at this point, his own sense of pride fueling his refusal. It wasn't that he didn't want her help, but more that he was sure there were others worse off than he was. If the doctors were trying to force his hand and truly were watching how he managed the sickness, he could not afford them the chance to see a moment of weakness.
Yes, that was probably what left him most irritated about the experimentation- not the heat or the exhaustion, nor the humiliation or the mild paranoia, but knowing that, while in this condition, he was a weaker link of any group that would have him. Someone who needed to be taken care of, needed to be watched, needed that moment of rest to recover his strength... He was never one to doubt the strength of having allies, but he also valued his independence. To have it stripped away, to not know whether or not the move was intentional, to have so many unanswerable questions in the first place- it was all mounting on him, pushing him to an edge. With his head still swimming in a boiling sea, it was harder and harder to concentrate on what needed to be done.
He sighed to himself, running his hand through his hair reflexively. If he was damned either way, then maybe handling his health first was the best way to go. He was so used to thinking of others first- his people, his allies, and what was best for the greater good in the long run. It had been some time since he'd felt so selfish. "You'll have to forgive my rudeness. The past few days have been beyond stressful, and I've clearly let it get to me. I'll consider your offer, and will certainly remember your kindness."
When Edgar apologized, Anise's expression softened, and the frown faded. She couldn't blame him for being stressed and acting weird; the institute often pushed Anise's own anxiety levels to the limit. It wasn't like he was being all that rude, anyway - just a little reckless and stubborn. Nothing she wasn't used to dealing with in heavier doses with some people she knew.
"Really? Great!" she cried with cheer when he seemed to reconsider, clasping her hands together. When she continued, it was in the hushed whisper she had been using moments earlier. "My room's F14. I'll leave some things out for you tonight, so if you decide to take me up on this, you can just swing by and pick them up off my desk. Okay?"
Her lips curled into a playful grin as she added jokingly, "I trust you know how to behave in a lady's room?"
Actually, it was pretty rare for Anise to share her room number with someone she didn't know very well. With people like Sync prowling around, it seemed like a good idea to keep it secret. She didn't think she had to worry too much about Edgar, though. It was a little easier to trust someone after seeing their weaker side. Besides, a gentleman like him didn't seem like the type to snoop around, which was probably the biggest risk of inviting an acquaintance to her room.
F14... same hallway as Celes' room, if his memory served him well. At least that made finding the place easier. Edgar smiled genuinely, a little surprised Anise would simply trust him with her room number. Then again, perhaps she had little to hide. Her teasing reminded him a little of Relm- it wasn't a bad resemblance, though it did leave him wondering if the artist would be anything like Anise in a few years.
There was a stirring from the back of the chapel- the "nurses" had arrived, presumably to move everyone to the next shift. Though annoyed by the interruption, Edgar was pleased the time had passed so quickly. It convinced him the rest of the day would be tolerable if he could keep himself occupied.
"Believe me, if there's one thing I do know," he said, "it's how to be a gentleman." He got to his feet slowly, offering his hand to help Anise from her seat. "Should I stop by tonight, you can count on me being on my very best behavior."
Boooo. They were trying to wrap up the shift already? Just when Anise was really enjoying herself!
Any frustration she felt at the unwelcome interruption quickly faded when Edgar held out his hand to her, though. Why couldn't all men be this charming? Taking his hand and rising to her feet, Anise grinned and nodded at his reply.
A familiar-looking nurse was making her way down the aisle, presumably to escort Anise, so it looked like it really was time to say goodbye. "It's too bad we have to leave already. Let's make sure we meet again soon, okay?" She flashed Edgar another bright smile before skipping away to meet her "nurse."
It was still a little early to make a definite call, but Anise was fine with erring on the side of caution and keeping her sweetness to the maximum. Even if it turned out he wasn't that wealthy, he sure was charming and cool!
When he declined her offer, Anise frowned. He was plenty gracious about it, but... could he really afford to do that, in his state? "Are you sure?" she asked. "I mean... I don't need them for myself. I bought lots, and I don't know many people in worse shape than you right now, so... think about it, okay?"
She couldn't force him to accept or anything, but she'd at least let him know that the offer was still on the table if he changed his mind.
Come to think of it, though... she did know one other person who could benefit from yesterday's haul. Tear was still suffering from miasma poisoning, and while the soldier wasn't likely to complain about her rations, she was probably feeling a bit miserable. Maybe Anise could put together a little care package for her.
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Yes, that was probably what left him most irritated about the experimentation- not the heat or the exhaustion, nor the humiliation or the mild paranoia, but knowing that, while in this condition, he was a weaker link of any group that would have him. Someone who needed to be taken care of, needed to be watched, needed that moment of rest to recover his strength... He was never one to doubt the strength of having allies, but he also valued his independence. To have it stripped away, to not know whether or not the move was intentional, to have so many unanswerable questions in the first place- it was all mounting on him, pushing him to an edge. With his head still swimming in a boiling sea, it was harder and harder to concentrate on what needed to be done.
He sighed to himself, running his hand through his hair reflexively. If he was damned either way, then maybe handling his health first was the best way to go. He was so used to thinking of others first- his people, his allies, and what was best for the greater good in the long run. It had been some time since he'd felt so selfish. "You'll have to forgive my rudeness. The past few days have been beyond stressful, and I've clearly let it get to me. I'll consider your offer, and will certainly remember your kindness."
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"Really? Great!" she cried with cheer when he seemed to reconsider, clasping her hands together. When she continued, it was in the hushed whisper she had been using moments earlier. "My room's F14. I'll leave some things out for you tonight, so if you decide to take me up on this, you can just swing by and pick them up off my desk. Okay?"
Her lips curled into a playful grin as she added jokingly, "I trust you know how to behave in a lady's room?"
Actually, it was pretty rare for Anise to share her room number with someone she didn't know very well. With people like Sync prowling around, it seemed like a good idea to keep it secret. She didn't think she had to worry too much about Edgar, though. It was a little easier to trust someone after seeing their weaker side. Besides, a gentleman like him didn't seem like the type to snoop around, which was probably the biggest risk of inviting an acquaintance to her room.
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There was a stirring from the back of the chapel- the "nurses" had arrived, presumably to move everyone to the next shift. Though annoyed by the interruption, Edgar was pleased the time had passed so quickly. It convinced him the rest of the day would be tolerable if he could keep himself occupied.
"Believe me, if there's one thing I do know," he said, "it's how to be a gentleman." He got to his feet slowly, offering his hand to help Anise from her seat. "Should I stop by tonight, you can count on me being on my very best behavior."
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Any frustration she felt at the unwelcome interruption quickly faded when Edgar held out his hand to her, though. Why couldn't all men be this charming? Taking his hand and rising to her feet, Anise grinned and nodded at his reply.
A familiar-looking nurse was making her way down the aisle, presumably to escort Anise, so it looked like it really was time to say goodbye. "It's too bad we have to leave already. Let's make sure we meet again soon, okay?" She flashed Edgar another bright smile before skipping away to meet her "nurse."
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